2 accused of setting Montague fire enrolled in pre-trial program

SUPERIOR COURT -- Two 19-year-old men indicted on arson and burglary charges after allegedly setting fire to and destroying a building along Route 23 in Montague in January have entered into the pre-trial intervention program.

Jarred Traill, of Franklin, appeared Monday in state Superior Court, where Judge William J. McGovern III accepted him into the program for three years, the maximum length of time someone can be enrolled. The pre-trial diversion, state-run program offers early rehabilitative services for first-time, non-violent offenders to deter them from future criminal behavior.

As part of the conditions, he will be mandated to complete 100 hours of community service.

"Do not squander this opportunity," McGovern said, adding that Traill has now "used up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

A defendant does not have to plead guilty to any charges in order to enroll in the program, and all charges are dismissed when the defendant successfully completes the program.

Traill and his codefendant, Joseph Demarest, were indicted May 24 on third-degree charges of burglary, arson and criminal mischief.

Traill's enrollment comes three weeks after Demarest was accepted into the program.

Demarest appeared in front of McGovern on Aug. 8 and was given the same three-year pre-trial intervention enrollment.

During Demarest's hearing, McGovern stressed the importance of taking the program seriously, especially since "many young people in the age bracket (that Demarest is in) don't."

"Understand, a lot of people try to get into this program and they're not allowed because of different issues, problems or eligibility issues," McGovern said.

The men were arrested by state police on Jan. 4 after authorities say they entered a structure, owned by the state Department of Environmental Protection, and started a fire.

The fire, reported at 3 a.m., spread rapidly and engulfed the building by the time the Montague Fire Department arrived.

While it is unknown how the fire started, the affidavit from both Traill and Demarest's arrests indicates it was "purposely set or caused by an explosion."

The building, located down an embankment from Route 23, was unoccupied at the time and no injuries were reported. Crews cleared the scene around 5:30 a.m.

Lori Comstock can also be reached on Twitter: @LoriComstockNJH, on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/LoriComstockNJH or by phone: 973-383-1194.

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